Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2009....where oh where do I begin....
It's hard to even come up w/words to describe how I felt this holiday season....back in 2005 when we began this journey to adopt our Sophie, that first xmas of 05 we had JUST begun the process, so there was so much excitement that year knowing we were going to continue building our family through this adoption...little did we know then that we would go through 4 more Christmas's w/o our baby girl...

So in 2006 at Christmas, we were still feeling hopeful with so much joy in our hearts for what the Lord was going to bless us with, and what He had already blessed us with, our sweet Charlie boy, our wonderful family and friends, our strong faith based marriage, our church, our health...on and on...so we were so full of happiness and thanksgiving....but each Christmas that went on that we STILL did not have our precious baby girl, and we still felt our family was not complete..that ache in our hearts for her grew, and grew...through Christmas 06, 07, 08......

And that brings us to this year..OUR YEAR!!! Christmas 09...with our baby girl home, in our arms, completing our family and bringing us more joy and thanksgiving in our hearts than we ever knew possible!
It's hard to even remember those past four Christmas's without her...I feel like she's been with us through each one, and she has in a way...Sophia Su Ruth is the daughter I felt in my hearts long before 2005...the baby from a far away land I had dreamed of, way back when I was only a child...and many of my childhood friends say they always remember me saying I would one day adopt a baby from a far off land....and she has lived in me for so long, because I KNOW the Lord planted her there....she is the EXACT baby girl I dreamed a dream of back in 2006....EXACTLY..it gives me goosebumps..but when I asked God to please please show me my girl and give me a sign of her..I went to bed that night and dreamed of a baby girl and she looked EXACTLY like my Sophie Su...in fact, it took my breath away in China in that first moment I laid eyes on her..because she was her...the baby in my dreams, the daughter I hoped and prayed for and NEVER gave up on!
OK..so Im getting a bit off track and emotional here...but I know one day my sweet girl will be reading back through this blog of her story..and I just want to capture and remember all these memories for her!
So yes...Christmas was the best, best ever...a miracle, a blessing, I've never felt happier or more complete....I have the family I've waited my whole life for..and all I can do is thank God above..because it's all because of Him!!!
To those of you that read this, that I know are still waiting...hang on...please hang on...lean on Him and KNOW w/o a doubt all of this is sooo worth it!!!!
And on a last note....a vs I have come to love and know through this entire journey!...Enjoy!:

"Lord, after this suffering, let it be said that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, make my Savior clear to all those around me. Because of my sufferings, and willing perseverance, cause others to be encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly." -phil 1:12-14

Merry Chirstmas to all! And especially to my sweet family, Jeff, Charlie and Sophie! -mommy xoxoxox

Charlie's Christmas Party at school

Unfortunately I did not get many pic's of my Charlie boy...I was too busy managing a candy cane rely race..LOL..but I did snap a few of Sophie Su LOVING all the attention from Charlie's classmates...notice they are all boys:)
Everywhere we go, you are so loved my sweet Sophie Su! I have a feeling she will have many "big brothers" in all Charlies friends watching over and protecting her as she grows!

Last Day at Churchill Downs

Catching up....going back to Thanksgiving weekend...when we go home to KY, it's tradition that we always go the the track the next day for the last day that Churchill Downs is open until Derby next year! Charlie and Sophie loved looking at all the horses, and mommy and daddy had fun w/Poppie, Grandy, Uncle Dougie, Anna and friends making some extra cash...or in some cases...losing some:)
Santa made an appearance, and this was the first time Sophie saw Santa for the season and she made it very clear she was not that into him..but we did manage to get close to him!

Classic Santa Photo Shoot 2009!

Grandy and Gramma Jean came up last weekend to take the kids to see Santa...Georgette and Jaden came along too, and as you can see, the girls were not too happy a/b Mr Claus! But Charlie got his moment to ask for the few things he wants this year and we ended w/a great lunch!